31DC2014 Day 11: Spiraling Dots

For the "polka dot" prompt I wasn't feeling very inspired. Polka dots, specifically, seem more restrictive and kinda boring. I think it should be changed to just plain "dots" because it really opens up the possibilities. I think that's what everyone is doing anyway. I tried to think back to a dot design that I liked, and I remembered the dot spiral I did in this mani  here.

31DC2014 Day 10: Idea of Happiness Gradient

Hey everyone! It's already day ten of the 31 Day Challenge! I have been feeling pretty good and thought that maybe this year's Challenge would be much easier. Then I did today's mani and realized that this was the same point in the Challenge as last year that I started stressing out and losing sleep. Oh well, I knew what I was in for! 

Since I did a gradient mani for yesterday's Rainbow prompt, I didn't wan't to do another similar one for today's gradient prompt. Instead I did a design that I have been wanting to do for months, I just hadn't found the right time for it. My inspiration was the cover art for Van She's Idea of Happiness album.

31DC2014 Day 09: Rainbow Sparkle Gradient

Hello lovelies!
Okay, I need to begin by saying that I completely love this manicure! I think it's gorgeous and I should be completely satisfied with it. But... the only problem is that I had bigger plans for it. Thank goodness I had the foresight to photograph it "just in case" I completely muffed it up. I had this amazing water marble design in mind that I couldn't execute for the life of me. I spent 2-3 hours trying to make it work before I eventually gave up. I finally came to the conclusion that with 22 more days left of the challenge, I need to hold on to my sanity while I still can.

31DC2014 Day 08: Metallic Gold Leaf

When I was brainstorming ideas for the Metallic prompt my thoughts turned to gold leaf. Then I thought, hmm...gold leaf. Wah wah. It amused me, so I went with it. And looked how it worked out. I absolutely love it!

31DC2014 Day 07: Black and White and Stamped All Over

Heya everyone!

I've been practicing my stamping skills more often recently because I am determined to master it. Well all that practice must have paid off because today's mani is a stamping WIN! I am so pleased with how this turned out. This is the boost in confidence that I needed! That's right, stamping. You don't scare me anymore. Er..today.

31DC2014 Day 06: Whimsical Violet

I've had the new piCture pOlish shades in my possession for a few weeks now and hadn't found the right opportunity to utilize them. As soon as I thought of the Challenge's violet prompt, I went straight to them! I'm so glad I did because I am in looove with the results.

31DC2014 Day 05: Blue Blobbicure

Today I bring you a new technique for me, the blobbicure. I was inspired by @anya_sobko, one of my favorites on Instagram. She comes up with some really amazing manicures (and gorgeous photos of snails)! I was totally in love the first time I saw a blobbicure. I can't believe I took so long to try it.

31DC2014 Day 04: Green Bling

Okay I've just got to get this post out there so I can be caught up! Hope you like it. :)

31DC2014 Day 03: Yellow Mod Geometrical

Today was a chance to try another new technique- stamping decals. I had attempted this once before and it was a disaster. I had been scared off for some time, but finally roused up enough courage for a second attempt. I still don't really understand the tricks behind a successful stamp decal. But I managed to figure it out well enough to enjoy today's result, and to want to keep trying.

31DC2014 Day 02: Orange Autumn Water Marble

Well my posting schedule for the Challenge hit a big snafu Tuesday morning when my computer monitor decided to shuffle off its mortal coil. Thanks to my hubby's friend, I finally got a loaner hooked up late last night while we still shop for a new one. Now I'm playing catch up with the next three posts. So I'm not going to get too chit-chatty right now. Enjoy the photos! 

31DC2014 Day 01: Red, University of Utah Utes

For this first prompt of the Challenge I immediately knew what I wanted to do. Last year for the Blue Nails prompt I created a Brigham Young University Cougars mani. So I thought it was fitting to do a mani of their arch-rivals, the University of Utah Utes. 

I mentioned in that post that I have many members of my family that have attended and graduated from BYU.  Well I also have a number of U of U alums in my family too. Actually my husband did some schooling at BYU, but graduated from the U of U. So here's my I'm-not-playing-favorites shout out.

Go Utes!

31 Day Challenge 2014

It's that time of year again! Last year I had just started blogging a few weeks before I dove head first into the 2013 31 Day Challenge. And I'm telling you, it was a CHALLENGE. I learned so much though, trying new techniques and really stretching myself. If you'd like to see what I did last year, visit my 31 Day Challenge 2013: In Review. It will be fun seeing what I come up with this time and comparing!

Sarah of Chalkboard Nails is keeping up the tradition of this challenge, and has created another shareable graphic this year for each day's prompt. All of the posts for the challenge can be shared using the tag #31DC2014  across social media.

How it works:

• I will be participating each day, beginning September 1st. The goal is to post each day until the end. Fingers crossed!
• This is a challenge not a contest, so there are no rules!
• Do just one prompt, or do them all. Do them in reverse (for all you people that have to be "different"). It really doesn't matter!
• Anyone can participate. I would love for my readers to share their creations! It's the sharing and seeing what others create that gets my creative juices flowing. It's my favorite part!

This year I'm once again going to focus on trying new techniques and really pushing myself. That may end up as something completely brilliant, or a complete disaster. Either way I'm going to have fun and I hope you enjoy what I have in store. (I'm going to pretend that it's all fun and games and ignore how stressed out I get about it all :P ) Hope to see you around each day!

xx Emiline xx